e-Bulletin for Parents - 23 February 2024

Let Children Understand, Appreciate and Inherit the Splendid Chinese Culture through the English Animation Series “An Inspiring Journey through Chinese Fables and Tales”(《中國寓言及故事啟蒙之旅》)

To support English Language education at the primary level, promote national education and enrich students’ English learning experiences, the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau has newly developed a series of three English animations entitled “An Inspiring Journey through Chinese Fables and Tales” (《中國寓言及故事啟蒙之旅》) together with an activity booklet. Through the eyes of the two main characters, a boy named Chris and a talking owl, students can travel back in time to understand the life stories of ancient Chinese figures, Huang Xiang, Han Xin and Yu the Great, and learn English in an interesting and lively way. With the guidance of the two characters, students can deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and traditional values, such as placing emphasis on filial piety, being benevolent, knowing gratitude, possessing a sense of commitment, being perseverant, and upholding the love for the country, thereby cultivating a sense of national identity in them, fostering their development of proper values and attitudes, and putting traditional Chinese virtues into practice.

This English animation series features three well-known Chinese fables and tales, namely “Fanning the Pillow and Warming the Quilt” (「扇枕溫衾」), “One Rice, Thousand Gold” (「一飯千金」) and “Yu the Great Tamed the Waters” (「大禹治水」). Each of the animations last for four to five minutes, with English subtitles available to cater for learner diversity. Various learning activities compiled in the activity booklet are developed to increase students’ learning interest, enhance their understanding of the stories, develop their English language skills, and guide them to respect, appreciate and inherit the Chinese culture. The English learning activities include comprehension, sequencing, speaking and writing tasks, as well as tasks that help students reflect on the lessons learnt and encourage them to practise the proper values and attitudes in their daily life.

This English animation series not only increases students’ exposure to English, but also deepens their understanding of Chinese culture, cultivating in them a sense of belonging to the country, an affection for the nation and a sense of national identity. Students can also apply their learning from the animation series to share the splendid Chinese culture to friends of different cultural backgrounds and tell well the stories of China in English. Parents are encouraged to enjoy the animations together with their children, guide them to follow the examples of the ancient Chinese role models, and inspire them to love and care for the family, the community and the country. The animations and the activity booklet can be accessed through the EDB’s webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/FT_Animations).

Animation Series “An Inspiring Journey through Chinese Fables and Tales” (《中國寓言及故事啟蒙之旅》) and Activity Booklet